INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts coach Tony Dungy said Friday there's a good chance cornerback Kelvin Hayden will return to the starting lineup for Sunday night's game at San Diego.
The status of safety Bob Sanders, however, probably won't be determined until just before gametime, Dungy said.
Sanders, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season, has had swelling in his right knee the past two weeks and was inactive for last week's 33-27 win over Houston. Melvin Bullitt, who has a team-high four interceptions this season, would get the start if Sanders is unable to play.
Hayden has missed the past six games after undergoing knee surgery. He also has been nursing a sore hamstring since being cleared to work out three weeks ago.
"I think Kelvin will be ready to go," Dungy said. "He went through practice (Thursday and Friday) and seemed to do fine."
If Hayden returns to his normal spot at left cornerback, Tim Jennings would move to the right side in place of injured starter Marlin Jackson, who was placed on injured reserve after hurting his knee in practice last month. Keiwan Ratliff, who had started the last three games at right cornerback, would most likely get work in the Colts' nickel package.
Hayden, meanwhile, expects to play.
"Good news. I will be out there on Sunday," he said after Friday's workout. "It's been six weeks and I'm just real excited to get out there and back out there with the guys. Honestly, I think I'm 100 percent. I haven't had any setbacks in practice. No other aches. No other pain. I feel good."
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
